Transfer Talk: Gunners take aim at Wolves star Neves

Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.

Portuguese star Neves, 24, who has two seasons left to run on his contract, has emerged as a popular figure at Molineux since joining the club in 2017.

But his agent Jorge Mendes believes Wolves could cash if they receive a tempting offer. 

And that has alerted the Gunners, who kicked off a summer of strengthening with the acquisition of Benfica defender Nuno Tavares last week.

With Granit Xhaka expected to complete a move to Roma, Mikel Arteta is particularly keen to bolster his options in midfield — and Neves is high on his list of targets. 

The Sun claim Arsenal's technical director Edu is in talks with Mendes about a deal but the £35million price tag Wolves have slapped on their man is a stumbling block.

Youri the one I want

Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans is keen on a move to Liverpool this summer — but the Foxes are holding firm in the battle for their Belgian star.

The Daily Mail say outlets in the player’s homeland are claiming a switch to Anfield appeals to the star, while the Reds view him as a perfect replacement for the departed Gini Wijnaldum.

Having seen Leicester miss out on Champions League football on the last day of 2020-21, boss Brendan Rodgers is determined to keep his stars at the King Power Stadium as part of a long-term vision.

But Jurgen Klopp is a strong admirer of Tielemans and it is thought the Merseysiders are preparing to launch an offer too good for the Foxes to refuse.

Having forked out £32m to prise him from Monaco in 2019, a bid of at least double that will be needed to tempt Leicester to sell. 

Tielemans, 24, has made 108 appearances in all competitions since moving to England and netted 17 goals for the Foxes, including a spectacular winner in last season’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.

In other news

Sky Sports say West Ham are closing in on a season-long loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

The 28-year-old spent 2020-21 on loan at Fulham and impressed despite the Cottagers’ eventual relegation to the Championship. 

Several outlets are reporting that Tottenham will make Danny Ings their No1 transfer target, with the Southampton forward seen as an ideal partner for Harry Kane.

But the Evening Standard believe a sour relationship between the two clubs — stemming from difficulties during Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s transfer last summer — will make reaching an agreement challenging.